Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey, R, signed HB2235 into law in May, allowing dental therapists to provide preventative and restorative dental care, according to The Heartland Institute.
Here are five insights:
1. Midlevel dental practitioners will now be able to become licensed and practice anywhere throughout the state.
2. Many hope by licensing dental therapists Native Americans and people in rural communities will have greater access to dental care.
3. Dental therapists allow people in rural communities who use Medicaid to be treated who might have been denied by traditional dentists in the state.
4. Government officials do not expect the number of patients traditional dentists see to decrease because of the new law.
5. Arizona Advisory Council on Indian Health Care Executive Director Kim Russell said, "Dental therapists would create a low-cost option for everyone. Although some community members that have their own dental insurance through their employer, most tribal members do not, due to the lack of employment opportunities on tribal reservations," according to The Heartland Institute.
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Here are five insights:
1. Midlevel dental practitioners will now be able to become licensed and practice anywhere throughout the state.
2. Many hope by licensing dental therapists Native Americans and people in rural communities will have greater access to dental care.
3. Dental therapists allow people in rural communities who use Medicaid to be treated who might have been denied by traditional dentists in the state.
4. Government officials do not expect the number of patients traditional dentists see to decrease because of the new law.
5. Arizona Advisory Council on Indian Health Care Executive Director Kim Russell said, "Dental therapists would create a low-cost option for everyone. Although some community members that have their own dental insurance through their employer, most tribal members do not, due to the lack of employment opportunities on tribal reservations," according to The Heartland Institute.
More articles on dentists:
Rhode Island dentist pleads guilty to $1.2M in tax evasion: 5 details
2 patients from dental clinic test positive for hepatitis C after treatment: 3 takeaways
Drs. Gregory Garro, Douglas Trepp & more: 3 dentists making headlines